Inside Asian Gaming

INSIDE ASIAN GAMING | March 2012 14 Supplier Awards Many of the benefits of digital technology and networking that have so transformed the slots and multiplayer segments are also having an impact on table gaming. The benefits of technology can be seen even in what appears on the surface to be a relatively low-tech, traditional casino supply product such as playing cards. Many casino grade cards now have highly complex manufacturing processes to reduce the risk of shoe malfunction or dealing errors. Best Table Gaming Essential This category covers cards and dice. In the table gaming-focused markets of Asia, it’s not surprising that operators unanimously chose playing cards as their nominated products in the Table Gaming Essential section. Winner: CASINO ANGEL pre-shuffled cards Last year was a testing time for Japanese companieswith the tripleblowof massive earthquake, destructive tsunami and subsequent nuclear accident at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Angel Playing Cards was able tomaintain its supply chain to regional casinos thanks toacombination of good luck—its manufacturing plant is a longway from the affected areas—but also thanks to careful contingency planning. That’s important because in Asia, a large casino can use 10,000 card decks in a single day. The accuracy of Angel’s pre-shuffled casinogradeproductsmakes the company the leader in the segment in Asia. Singapore’s two integrated resorts both exclusively chose Angel, and the company continues to dominate the Macau market. Honourable Mention: United States Playing Card Company – KEM casino plastic cards US Playing Card Company has resisted any temptation to compete on price with the multitude of Asian suppliers offering cheap playing cards. Instead, it has maintained a focus on quality, pursuing upmarket casinos in the region as customers and stressing the size of its back up operation. It’s part of the multibillion dollar US conglomerate the Jarden Corporation and has access to manufacturing facilities in Europe as well as the US. Best Table Utility Product This category includes shoes, shufflers and chippers. Winner: Angel – ANGEL EYE Shoe More than 5,000 ANGEL EYE systems have been sold globally—representing a 90% share of the market for electronics-based baccarat card shoes. In Macau and Australia in excess of 80% of all baccarat tables use the product, according to the company. A proprietary, unique code printed on each card minimises the possibility of foreign cards being introduced to the system. Honourable Mention: MD3 Shuffler The MD3 Shuffler has pulled off a rare achievement—improving on an already excellent product in the form of the MD2 Shuffler. The MD3 can read and verify every card being shuffled, bringing an unprecedented level of security to multi-deck tables like blackjack and baccarat. Its patented platform and gripper system counts and shuffles up to eight decks of cards quickly and quietly, and alerts the dealer about missing or added cards Best Table Gaming Peripheral Table peripherals include applications of sophisticated technology such as radio frequency identification (RFID) chips and plaques. They also include tableside displays that help players— especially Asian baccarat table players—follow one of their favourite pastimes: namely, trying to identify patterns in betting and outcomes. Nominees: Manufacturer Title Angel Playing Cards CASINO ANGEL pre-shuffled cards Gemaco Gem Pro Casino playing cards United States Playing KEM casino plastic Card Company cards CASINO ANGEL pre- shuffled cards KEM plastic cards Nominees: Manufacturer Title Angel ANGEL EYE shoe LT Game Eagle Eye Intelligent Card Shoe Shuffle Master MD2 Shuffler Shuffle Master MD3 Shuffler USPCC Bee Electronic Baccarat Dealing Shoe TABLE GAMING SUPPLIES Angel Eye Shoe Nominees: Manufacturer Title Abbiati Casino New Security Chips Equipment Gaming Partners Bourgogne & International Grasset American- Style Chips Matsui RFID Chip System TCS JOHNHUXLEY Omni Baccarat Display